Collapsible blocking dummy



Dec. 17, 1968 H. E. I Ewls ETAL COLLAPSIBLE BLOCKING DUMMY 2Sheets-Sheet 'l :"iled Jan. l2, 1966 Fig. 4

,Hugh/ E. Lewis Worf/7 Pof/er, Jn

l /AvI/ENTORS 9 m' ma/M @mm Dec. 17, 196s Filed Jan. l2. 1966 H. E.LEWIS ETAL COLLAPSIBLE BLOCKING DUMMY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United StatesPatent O 3,416,795 COLLAPSIBLE BLOCKING DUMMY Hughie E. Lewis, P.0. Box822, Warsaw, N.C. 28398, and Worth Potter, Jr., Rte. 1, BOX 15,Magnolia, N.C. 28453 Filed Jan. 12, 1966, Ser. No. 520,122 Claims. (Cl.273-55) ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A blocking dummy for footballtraining including a lower section and an upper section pivoted thereto.The

The present invention generally relates to a training device for use intraining football players in properly conducting their blockingassignments and more particularly relates to a blocking dummy whichincorporates features therein to enable the blocking dummy to collapseor pivot to a horizontal position when -a football player properlyengages the dummy when training.

Training and practice devices for use by football players have been usedand generally are in the form of tackling dummies or blocking sleds andthe like. While these -devices serve their purposes, they do notincorporate any specific arr-angement for introducing a target area onthe dummy so that if the football player properly engages the dummy, thedummy will simulate an opposing player and be knocked to the ground.Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a blockingdummy especially constructed for training football players in conductingtheir blocking assignments and includes a latch structure which normallyretains an upper section of the blocking dummy in upright position butwhich will be released when a player properly blocks the blocking dummyso that the upper section of the blocking dummy may then pivot about ahorizontal axis located generally at ground level so that the uppersection thereof may be knocked to the ground thus indicating that theplayer has properly conducted the block thereby enabling the blockingtechnique of the football players using this device to be properlydeveloped.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleblocking dummy having a padded upper section including a padded targetelement associated therewith and a latch mechanism operatively connectedwith the target for releasing the collapsible section of the blockingdummy when the target is properly engaged.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleblocking dummy in which spring mechanism is provided for returning theupper section of the blocking ldummy to an upright position so that itwill automatically be normally retained and latched in upright position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide yacollapsible blocking dummy having a padded upper section with adepending skirt or protector to completely enclose the rigid workingcomponents of the dummy thereby preventing any possible injury topersons employing the device.

Yet another important feature of the present invention is to provide acollapsible blocking dummy which is quite rugged in construction, simplein operation, easy Cice to install, effective for training footballplayers and yet relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and -advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter `described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying -drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible blocking dummy of thepresent invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken substantially upon aplane passing along section line 2 2 of FIGURE l illustrating thestructural details of the device;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon aplane passing along section line 3 3 of FIGURE 2 illustrating furtherstructural details of the target device;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon aplane passing along section line 4-4 of FIGURE 2 illustrating furtherstructural details of the latch mechanism and other operative structuralfeatures;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmental sectional view, on an enlarged scale,illustrating the orientation of the target member when it is movedinwardly to release the latch member; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating the lower sectionof the dummy and a portion of the upper section and illustrating theprotective skirt and hinge structure together with the resilientmechanism for returning the upper section of the dummy to uprightposition.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the coll'apsible blockingdummy 10 of the present invention includes an elongated upper section 12and a relatively short lower Isection 14. The upper section 12 isdisposed above the ground surface 16 while the lower section 14' isrecessed into the `ground surface and may be disposed `within a suitableconcrete base 18 `or the like so that the upper end of tlhe lowersection 14 and the lower end of the upper section 12 ymeet at groundlevel as illustrated in lFIGURES 1, 2 and 6. The specic manner ofinstallation of lower section 14 in the ground surface 16 may vary butit should be rather securely and more or less premanently anchored inplace inasmuch as it will be necessary that it withstand considerableforces eX- erted on the upper section 12. Normally, as illustrated inFIGURES 1 and 2, the upper section 2 is in vertical alignment with thelower section 14 and defines an upstanding blocking dummy so thatfootball players may approach the dummy 10 in a normal blocking stanceor position.

The upper section 12 includes an inner rigid framework 20 which includesa plurality of vertically disposed corner members 22 of angle ironconstruction or the like which are rigidly interconnected by a pluralityof vertically spaced horizontally disposed braces 24 or the like thusforming a vertically elongated rigid framework 20 which is generallysquare in cross-sectional configuration. The uppermost horizontal bracesrnay yalso be in the form of angle iron members 26 and the lower- Inostbraces 24 may be in the form of angle iron members 28 with all of theflanges of the corner members, 22, upper braces 26 and lower braces 28facing inwardly to define `a smooth exterior surface.

The lower section 14 includes a similar frame 30 including corner angleiron members 32, intermediate brace members 34 and upper and lower angleiron braces 36 and 38 with the lower frame 30 generally forming anextension of the upper frame 20` when the frame sections are orientatedin alignment.

One side edge of t'he upper frame 20 has the lower end Patented Dec. 17,1968- thereof hingedly connected to the upper end of a correspondingside edge of the lower frame by a hinge structure including hinge strapsfixedly attached to the frame sections with the hinge straps 40 beingpivotally interconnected by a hinge pin 42. The hinge structure is ofconventional construction and the pivotal axis defined by the hinge pin42 is substantially coincidental with the ground surface 16 asillustrated in FIGURES 2 yand 6 thereby enabling the upper section 12 ofthe dummy to pivot from a vertical position illustrated in FIGUR-E 2 toa substantially horizontal position as illutrated in FIGURE 6 whichsimulates an opposing player being knocked over or blocked out of aplay.

A cushioning pad 44 encompasses the upper frame 20 and generally is inthe form of an envelope enclosing all of the frame 20 except Ifor thelower end. rl`he cushioning pad 44 includes an inner sleeve-like member46, an outer sleeve-like member 48 and cushioning material 50 spacedbetween the members 46 and 48. rPhe members 46 and 48 may beconveniently heavy duty canvas material, plastic or the like and thecushioning or padding 50 may be of any suitable material such ascurrently employed in tackling dummies and the like.

To facilitate removal and placement of the cushion 44 on the upper frame20, the longitudinal wall of the cushion which is in alignment with thehinge pin 42 is provided with an elongated slide fastener assembly 52which may be a conventional zipper to enable the cushion to be easilyremoved for replacement, repair and the like. The location of the slidefastener 52 in alignment with the hinge assures that the persons usingthe blocking dummy of this invention will not damage the slide fastenerdue to contact therewith since the football players will contact thedummy from the side thereof opposite to the side having the hingethereon. The shape and configuration of the cushion 44 generallyconforms with the shape and configuration of the upper frame 20.

The lower end of the upper frame 20 is provided with a depending latchplate 54 having a latch receiving opening 56 therein with the latchplate 54 being rigidly fixed to the lower brace 28 or the like in anysuitable manner such as by welding. The latch plate or keeper plate 54is disposed in opposed relation to the pivot pin 42 and when the upperframe20 is in alignment with the lower frame 30, the lower end portionof the latch plate 54 extends downwardly 'alongside of the correspondingside area of the lower frame 30 as illustrated in FIG- URE 2.

A horizontally reciprocal latch bolt 58 is slidably mounted in a guidesleeve 60 flxedly welded to a depending extension 62 on the upper bracemember 36 forming a part of the lower frame 30 in opposite relation tothe hinge pin 42. rPhe outer end of the latch bolt 58 is beveled as at64 so that when the upper section 12 of the dummy 10 is pivoted to anupright position, the lower edge of the late'h plate 54 will cam thelatch bolt 58 inwardly to enable it to be retracted until such time asthe lhole 56 becomes aligned with the latch bolt 58 at which time thelatch bolt 58 moves into the hole S6 thus latching the upper section 12in upright position.

The latch bolt 58 includes a flange or abutment 66 adjacent the innerend thereof which has one end of a coil compression spring 68 engagedtherewith. Also the inner end of the latch bolt 58 has a loop or eye 70thereon to which a tension line or cable 72 is tied. The other end ofthe spring 68 abuts with an abutment member 74 that is rigidly fixed tothe upper braces 36 of the lower frame 30 as illustrated in FIGURES 2and 6 thus spring biasing the latch bolt 58 outwardly towards itslatched position with the tension cable 72 being ernployed forwithdrawing the latch bolt 58 in a manner described hereinafter.

The tension cable 72 is entrained over a pulley 76 mounted on a suitablebracket 78 supported from the lower frame 30 and the cable 72 thenextends upwardly into the upper section 12 at a point adjacent the hingeaxis. A lower idler pulley 80 is provided for the cable 72 adjacent thelower end of the upper frame 20 and the pulley 80 is supported on asuitable bracket 82 so that the pulleys 76 and 80 generally are invertical alignment when the frames 20 and 30 are in vertical alignmentas illustrated in FIGURE 2. A turnbuckle adjustment 84 is incorporatedin the tension cable 72 to adjust the effective length thereof. Theupper end portion of the tension cable 72 is entrained over a pulley 86supported from a bracket 88 on a transverse mounting plate 90 secured tothe upper frame 20 adjacent to but spaced below the upper end thereof asillustrated in FIGURE 2.

The mounting plate 90 includes an inwardly extending guide tube 92slidably receiving an elongated operating rod 94 which has an eye 96 onthe inner end thereof to which the upper end of the tension cable 72 istied as illustrated in FIGURE 5. The outer end of the operating rod 94`is fixed to a pressure plate 98 in the form of a target member which isdisposed exteriorly of and spaced from the surface of the upper frame 20in opposed relation to the hinge axis defined by the hinge pin 42. Thepressure plate 98 is provided with a plurality of guide rods 100 fixedto the inner surface thereof with each of the guide rods 100 having acompression coil spring 102 disposed thereon with one end of the spring102 engaging the pressure plate 98 and the other end thereof engagingthe mounting plate 90 as illustrated in FIGURE 2. The ends of the guiderods 100 extend through apertures in the mounting plate 90 and areprovided with retaining nuts 104 thereon which limit the outwardmovement of the pressure plate 98 and serve to retain the pressure plate9S in position.

As illustrated in FIGURE 5, when inward pressure is exerted on thepressure plate 98, it moves inwardly towards the frame thus compressingthe springs 102 and moving the operating rod 94 inwardly thus causinglinear movement of the tension cable 72. As the tension cable 72 ismoved linearly, it will retract the lock bolt 58 to disengage it fromthe keeper hole 56 in the keeper plate 54 thereby releasing the uppersection 12 of the dummy so that it can pivot downwardly about hinge pin42 `to substantially a horizontal position as illustrated in FIG- URE 6.Where the edges of the cushion 44 are joined by slide fastener 52, itmay be provided with a recessed area 106 to provide easy connection ofthe slide fastener elements.

A cushion or pad 106 is disposed in overlying relation to the pressureplate 98 and both the pressure plate 98 and the pad 106 are normallydisposed beyond the surface of the pad 44 as illustrated in FIGURE 1.The pressurev pad 106 is independent of the pad 44 and includescushioning material 108 provided with a cover 110 and an inner member112. The cover 110 extends inwardly beyond the pressure plate 98 in theform of an extension 114 provided with an outwardly extending inner edgeflange 116 for retaining the pressure pad 106 within the opening 118formed in the pad 44 for receiving the pad 106 and the pressure plate 98and enabling inward and outward movenient thereof in relation to the pad44 from the position illustrated in FIGURE 2 to the position illustratedin FIGURE 5 Without restricting such movement and at the same timeproviding adequate padding for the pressure plate 98.

For returning the upper section 12 of the dummy 10 to an uprightposition, there is provided a calibrated tension coil spring 120disposed within the hollow interior of the lower frame 30 as illustratedin FIGURES 2 and 6. The lower end of the coil spring 120 is providedwith a hook 122 anchored to a suitable eye 124 or other suitable bracketorientated centrally in the bottom of the lower frame 30. The upper endof the spring 120 is provided' with a corresponding hook 126 engagedwith the center of a transverse bar 128 which is in the form of aconneutor plate to which the terminal ends of a pair of cables 130 areattached in any suitable manner such as by a cable clamp or the like.The cables are entrained over a pair of pulleys 132 journaled on atransverse shaft 134 carried by the brace members 34. The tension cables130 then extend forwardly and downwardly under a pair of pulleys 136journaled on shaft '138 also carried by the brace members 34. Thepulleys 132 may actually be interconnected and formed on the peripheryof a sleeve journaled on the shaft 134 and this may also be true of thepulleys 136. Any suitable type of pulley construction may be used toenable movement of the tension cables 130. The upper ends of the cables130 are interconnected by a connecting bar 140 or the like by anysuitable means such as a cable clamp or the like and the center of theconnecting bar 140 is attached to the frame 20 by a suitable hook orbolt-type fastener 142. The length of the cables 130 may be initiallyadjusted by suitable cable clamps or by providing a small turnbuckle ineach cable so that the length of the cables will be equalized and thetension exerted by the spring may Ibe varied to make certain that thetension of the spring will be adequate to return the upper section 12 tothe upright position and also resist downward pivotal movement thereofeven after the latch bolt 58 has |been released.

All of the slidable and rotatable elements may be provided withlubrication providing facilities if desired and all of the pulleys overwhich -cables are entrained may be provided with conventional mechanismsfor retaining the cables on the pulleys so that even if slack occurs inthe cables such as when the upper section is Ipivoted to a horizontalposition, the cable will still be retained properly on its respectivepulleys.

To prevent injury to the players, a depending skirt or panel 144 isprovided for bridging the space between the upper section 12 and thelower section 14 when the upper section is pivoted to the horizontalposition illustrated in FIGURE 6. The skirt 144 is preferablyconstructed of canvas material or the like and has an upper edge thereofsecured to the upper frame 20 as by bolt-type fasteners 146 or the like.The lower edge may be anchored to the lower frame 20 as by positioninggrommets 148 over projecting fastener elements 150 secured to the lowerframe 30 in the space surrounding the frame at least at the two sideedges thereof and the edge remote from the hinge pin 42. Thus, the skirt144 will normally be folded outwardly generally in the positionillustrated in FIGURE 2 when the upper section 12 is upright but whenthe upper section 12 pivots downwardly to its horizontal position, theskirt 144 will assume the position illustrated in FIGURE 6 thuspreventing contact with and injury from engagement with the framecomponents, cables, keeper plate and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 6,the skirt 144 will also keep the bolt 58 retracted when taut with spring70 biasing bolt 5S outwardly as the upper section 12 returns to uprightposition.

While the dimensional characteristics of the device may vary, it hasbeen found practical to construct the upper section of the frame havinga height of approximately 42 inches while the lower section isapproximately 18 inches long and of the same cross-sectional size. T hehinge at the back side of the frame sections may be approximately fourinches long and the pad is preferably approximately four inches thickand other means may be provided for securing the pad in place such aslacing, hooks or the like. The canvas skirt may be attached to the loweredge of the pad such as by sewing or the like rather than being attachedto the frame and may be attached to at least the front side of the lowersection of the frame and possibly also the side edges thereof to preventexposure of t-he hole and rigid components when the upper section ispivoted to its lower position.

The target member defined by the pressure plate and the pad 106 thereonrequires that the players using the blocking dummy come into contactwith the dummy at the pressure pad in order to release the latch. As thepressure plate moves inwardly, the latch bolt 58 will be retracted.Generally, the pressure plate is disposed approximately eight inchesfrom the top of the frame and is in the form of a flat plateapproximately four inches Wide and five inches long and which projectsout approximately two inches from the frame. As the plate is movedinwardly, the operating rod is moved inwardly thus pulling the tensioncable for retracting the latch bolt. The spring which returns the uppersection to its upright position also will require that the blocker exertenough force to expand the spring as the dummy is being collapsed orpivoted downwardly. After the blocker releases the dummy, the springwill pull it back to its upright position and the latch willautomatically lock it in place.

The blocking dummy of the vpresent invention not only incorporates theexertion of force against the pad but also requires that the blockerbring his shoulder or other area of his body directly into contact withthe target pad 106 in order to actuate the pressure plate 98 thusrequiring that the point of force applied to an opposing player will betaught to the blocker inasmuch as the target pad forms a target for theblocker. This enables football players to be more effectively trained inthe proper orientation and position in order to block an opposing playerby exerting a blocking force thereon with the blocking force beingexerted at a particular optimum position.

- The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A football blocking dummy comprising a lower section adapted to bestationarily supported in the ground surface, an upper section disposedabove the lower section, hinge means pivotally connecting the uppersection to the lower section with the hinge means being disposed atsubstantially ground level so that the point of separation of thesections is substantially at ground level, said upper section includinga cushioning pad mounted thereon, latch means releasably retaining theupper section in aligned relation to the lower section, spring meansinterconnecting the upper section and lower section for biasing theupper section to upright position, and latch operating means connectedto the latch means and including a target member on the upper sectionexposed to the peripheral surface of the dummy for engagement by aplayer to release the latch means when the player properly engages thedummy, said upper section including a rigid frame, said cushioning padenclosing said frame, said target member including a rigid pressureplate disposed outwardly of ysaid frame and movably supported therefromfor movement toward said frame when pressure is applied thereto, springmeans biasing said pressure plate outwardly of said frame, a cushioningpad on said pressure plate disposed outwardly of the cushioning pad onthe frame to provide a projection target for application of force, andmeans interconnecting the pressure plate and the latch means forreleasing the latch means when the pressure plate is moved inwardly.

2. A football blocking dummy comprising a lower section adapted to bestationarily supported in the ground surface, an upper section disposedabove the lower section, hinge means pivotally connecting the uppersection to the lower section with the hinge means being disposed atsubstantially ground level so that the point of separation of thesections is substantially at ground level, said upper section includinga cushioning pad mounted thereon, latch means releasably retaining theupper section in aligned relation to the lower section, spring meansinterconnecting the upper section and lower section for biasing theupper section to upright position, and latch operating means connectedto the latch means and including a target member on the upper sectionexposed to the peripheral surface of the dummy for engagement by aplayer to release the latch means when the player properly engages thedummy, said upper section including a frame, said cushioning padenclosing said frame, said target member including a pressure platedisposed outwardly of said frame and movably supported therefrom formovement toward said frame when pressure is applied thereto, acushioning pad on said pressure plate disposed outwardly of thecushioning pad on the frame to provide a projecting target forapplication of force, and means interconnecting the pressure plate andthe latch means for releasing the latch means when the pressure plate ismoved inwardly, spring means resiliently supporting the pressure platefrom the frame for normally biasing the pressure plate outwardly of theframe, said means interconnecting the pressure plate and the latch meansincluding a tension cable having one end thereof operatively connectedwith the pressure plate and the other end thereof operatively connectedto the latch means for releasing the latch means in reseponse to inwardmovement of the pressure plate toward the frame.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said latch means includesa reciprocable latch bolt disposed horizontally in the lower section,said upper section having a latch plate rigid therewith and dependingtherefrom for engaging the latch bolt when the upper section is inupright position, said latch plate having a hole therein for receivingthe latch bolt, spring means biasing the latch bolt into operativeposition, the upper edge of the latch bolt having a cam surface forengagement by the lower edge of the lock plate when it moves toward thelower section for automatically retracting the latch bolt and enablingit to snap into the opening in the latch plate.

4. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein the means connecting theupper section to the lower section includes a hinge structure orientatedat one side of the sections, a depending skirt attached to the otherside of the upper section and bridging the 'space between the uppersection and lower section when the upper section is pivoted to ahorizontal position thereby protecting football players from injury dueto contact with the components of the device.

5. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said spring meansinterconnecting the upper and lower sections includes a tension coilspring having one end achored to the lower section, and cable meansconnecting the upper end of the spring to the upper section adjacent theside thereof remote from the pivotal connection between the upper andlower sections for urging the upper section to an upright position.

References Cited STATES PATENTS ANTON o. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

T. ZACK, Assistant Examiner.

